Monday, March 4, 2013

The Great Swamp Watershed Association (GSWA) is pleased to announce the schedule of speakers for its Spring 2013 Breakfast Briefing Series. This season’s highlights will include an in-depth discussion of bats and bat conservation efforts, as well as a wide-ranging report on the cleanliness of water flowing through the Great Swamp and into the Passaic River.

On Tuesday, March 12, GSWA welcomes Jennifer Bohrman, lead biologist for bat research, education, and outreach at the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. Ms. Bohrman led a wild bat inventory and monitoring effort at the Refuge during the summer of 2012 and frequently presents to local communities on the topic of bat conservation. In addition to offering some insight into the impact of the infamous White-nose Syndrome on bat populations in Great Swamp, she will provide some proven tips, techniques, and suggestions suitable for protecting bats in the back yard.

Dr. Leland Pollock, Professor Emeritus of Biology at Drew University, visits on Tuesday, May 14. For many years Dr. Pollock has studied macroinvertebrates—a catch-all term for bugs, worms, mollusks and other small, spineless creatures—living in the streams that feed Great Swamp. Study findings from his annual survey of these wildlife populations adds to an understanding of long-term trends within the local environment and provides clues about the relative cleanliness of water passing through the Great Swamp region. This event will take place at the Helen Whitney Case Auditorium at the Madison Public Library, 39 Keep Street, Madison, NJ.

On Tuesday, June 11, GSWA’s Director of Water Quality Programs Laura Kelm will present findings from the organization’s recent State of the Streams report on water conditions found throughout the Great Swamp Watershed region. This extensive scientific research project engaged GSWA staff and volunteers in a year-long analysis of more than five years of chemical, visual, and biological water quality monitoring data taken from the watershed’s five major streams: the Upper Passaic River, Black Brook, Great Brook, Loantaka Brook, and Primrose Brook. Results from the analysis will be used to establish historic trends for cleanliness of water flowing through local waterways; and help the organization identify emerging environmental conservation and restoration needs.

Most GSWA Breakfast Briefing events take place between 8:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. at the organization’s office located at 568 Tempe Wick Road in Morristown, NJ. Alternate event locations are noted, if applicable.

GSWA created the Breakfast Briefing Series to help area residents stay informed about community environmental issues without taking valuable time away from work or family life. Presentations are kept brief, focus on current environmental topics, and minimize overlap with most traditional business hours.

Coffee, tea, and a continental breakfast are always served free of charge.